Busy Busy Busy

Much has happened since my last post. Noah's team went to the State Basketball Tournament. It was held in the arena at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and it was very exciting to be playing there. First time in 10 years that our team has gone! Unfortunately the boys did not win and move on, but it was a great experience! Something Noah will always remember. It did make me cry thinking about all of the times we have sat in the stands and cheered him on. That part of our lives is over-we will never see him play as part of a team again. When I explained this to Jim, his response was to tell me a story about two teams that were in a heated battle to win a game. At the very last second, one team shot a three pointer and won the game. He said-think about how those seniors feel on the team that lost. How sad that would be to lose your last game like that. I felt a little misunderstood-I didn't cry because we lost the game, I cried because I have enjoyed watching my son play all these years and now it was over! Later that evening, Noah and I were talking and I tried to tell him how I felt. He thought it was funny that they lost and I was crying and he was fine. Again, it is so NOT about the loss!!! I feel so lonely in this family-no one gets me.

Tammy and I went to see the Newsboys and Kutless in concert last weekend. We had seen the Newsboys at Lifelight Fest a couple of summers ago and knew they were awesome. It was even better to see them on tour! They really know how to put on an awesome show-the right mixture of fast and slow songs, old and new songs, showmanship and just leading us in worship. They are my favorite group to see live! We really had a great time!!

This week, we made a quick trip to Pittsburg State University in Kansas. It is one of the schools that Noah is seriously considering. There were some things I really liked about the school. They had a low teacher to student ratio, their tuition rate was the same for 21 credits as it was for 15 (and it is low), you got free parking and tickets to home games and newspapers and internet and cable and use of the gym/pool/weight room. Some of the drawbacks-it is 5 hours away, it is a pretty small town rural area, many of the buildings are old and in need of updating (but they are working on them). I think he would get a solid education there, be safe, and there would be enough to do but not so much as to distract him. He wasn't overly impressed, so we'll see. We are waiting for the financial aid reports to come to help make a decision.

Today I took our cat to the Humane Society. It was very sad. I feel like I failed her, but I know I did my best. She kept getting urinary tract infections and peeing on the carpet. My carpet is ruined. Nate is also allergic to her. We just couldn't do it anymore. Later today Jim and I went for a walk around a local lake. We were almost back to our car, when we watched a grass fire spring up on the other side of the parking lot. I have no idea what could have caused it. At first we thought it was a controlled burn. Jim walked up and called out, but no one was around. We called 911, but by the time the fire department arrived the fire had really spread and trees and homes were in its path. We watched as they put it out. The winds were high, so it wasn't easy, but they did keep it contained.

Update

Just a quick note. We wound up with over a foot of snow the other day. It kept blowing and drifting and they had to shut down highways and interstates. The boys were off school on Friday as well. The annexation became official on Thursday during the storm, and there was some confusion over who should be plowing where. The roads were the worst I have EVER seen them. Our first taste of the kind of downgraded services we have to look forward to! I got the rest of my paperwork turned in on Friday (couldn't make it out of my driveway on Thursday). Human Resources kind of gave me a bad vibe because I'm part-time. He also wasn't very concerned that the piece of paper he gave me had someone else's social security number on it! Good news-Noah's basketball team got into the State Basketball Tournament on a wild card. They are working really hard this week to get ready for the game on Thursday. It is the first time they have gone in 10 years! Yesterday was Nate's 16th birthday. I feel bad because I didn't get much planned. Hard to focus with all that is going on, my job, college stuff, and his antics. What I did plan-snowboarding with friends-he didn't want to do (he heard our local hill was lame!). I didn't even get him a gift because he couldn't help me out with ideas until the last minute and all of his ideas are not something I am comfortable with. It is never easy with Nate. I hung curtains in my bedroom yesterday. Nothing special-just sheers with matching valances-but it finally feels like the room is complete. Couldn't make up my mind for the longest time! Well that is all for now. Need to get moving on some paperwork.

March Roars in like a Lion

Wow-today is March 1 and we are having the worst snowstorm of the season, maybe the worst we have seen while in Nebraska. I can't get out of my driveway to get to work, so I thought it would be a good time to update my blog.

Well it is final-today our city ceases to exist. At 2:00 we become part of the City of Omaha. Half of our police force was not hired, a few people have decided not to apply, and a few are retiring. At my place of employment, we have all been promised jobs, and for now it seems that we will all be staying there. Many more changes are on the way I'm sure, and I don't know how things will be a year from now, but for now I have a job. I've had mountains of paperwork to fill out. It has been a stressful, sad, frustrating, anxious two years-so now we are just trying to move on.

Boys are doing ok. Nate went through another rough spell with his mood. We do have an appointment with a psychiatrist in a couple of weeks, so maybe we will have some more insight there. He appears to be stabilizing and is wanting to be affectionate and close-but I am wary. I explained why, but he says I should just enjoy this time while I can. We purchase a new bed for Nate-a queen sized one. He was so excited to get out of those twin bunk beds! Set it up with all new bedding and he was in heaven last night. Even better-he got to sleep in because of the snow day. Noah had his first district basketball game this week-and they lost miserably. The boys played bad, the referees did a terrible job, the other team did their homework. Bad combination! Luckily they did get into the State Tournament on a wild card-first time in 16 years I think Noah said. We are all excited, but I'm also a little sad realizing this is the last time we will be going to a basketball game to see our son play!

I went on retreat with the women from my church last weekend. We were at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City-which I had never been to before. It was very nice and I had a good time. God really refreshed me and strengthened me while there. I met someone that was going through similar circumstances with a teenager, and we were able to pray together which was a blessing. I took a jewelry making workshop and made a necklace, sat in on a photography workshop, and toured Arbor Lodge (the home of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day). We had a snowstorm while there, that was expected to be bad, but it wasn't. Good thing we weren't there during this snowstorm-we wouldn't make it home! Next weekend, Tammy and I are going to see the Newsboys-can't wait!!!

Otherwise, not much is new. I'd love to hear from some of you!