Gina Relays

What a weekend it has been. Matt came home for the summer. I forgot what it was like to have them home. When I walked in the door, the laundry room was overflowing with clothes and the kitchen full of fish tank paraphernalia. I texted (not sure if this is even a word) with the phrase Our clean house is gone. He thought that we were robbed and the robbers left the house in shambles. Matt did a great job putting everything in its place before the night was over.

Friday was the 8th grade trip to Chicago. We had an awesome time. We toured a museum, ate at Ed Debevics, had a double decker bus tour - with the top open. That was very cool. Went to the top of the John Hancock Building, and finished at Navy Pier. The weather and kids were perfect. In my opinion, the best trip we have ever planned.

While I was in Chicago, Dan was in Clare with the track team. With both of us being busy working, Matt stepped up and went to support his brother at the Gina Relays. On Friday Nate threw the shot put. It's been a while since he had any time to practice, since football has taken center stage for the last month, but he finished with a respectable put and finished 7th.

Dan and I got home very early Saturday morning, and were up and moving to watch Nate throw the discus on Saturday. Again not much time to practice. This was the first time he threw disc since his trip to Florida. We were all surprised when he made finials. He ended up placing 9th.

Nate starts exams next week; Matt goes on Tuesday for his second steroid shot. By the end of the week Nate should be home, and Matt will be preparing to leave for Italy. Things sure do get busy when we add these two back into the mix.

We love Pepsi

As the title says, we love Pepsi. Both boys, Matt and Nate, will be working for this wonderful company this summer. Matt will start on May 15 (two days after he gets back from Italy). Nate will be joining him soon after (once he goes through the new hire paperwork and drug testing).

Matt will be returning to his delivery helpers position this summer season. His hours will be like last year, working from 7:00 to 6:00. Nate will be working in the warehouse. He will be working a minimum of 40 hours a week, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 12:00 - 8:00. While this is a bit disappointing due to the fact that they cannot commute together, all in this house are thrilled that money will be made this summer.

Matt went to a neurosurgeon on Friday. He was diagnosed with a condition called Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. He got two prescriptions, one for an oral steroid and the other for a series of three steroid shots. He also got clearance to return to practice. He does have his last scrimmage tonight and will not be participating, but this clearance will allow him to practice and compete in Italy with the team.

Both boys are winding down with school; Matt will be home later this week - Wednesday or Thursday and Nate the following week. In preparation for their return we ordered half a cow and a pig. Hopefully this meat supply will last the three months that they are home.

It's foootball season-no wait-it's track season. What season is it?

I'm really confused. Is it football season or is it track season? Today it's both. Dan is at the first track meet of the year with the high school team, and I spent my morning sitting in the stands watching Nate play football.



(Nate is the first one. We have tons of pictures just like this - I guess that's what happens with linebackers. FYI Nate is now a Will linebacker. For those of you who don't know what that is - he covers the weak side of the field. In high school he was the Mike linebacker, and covered the middle of the field.)

This is the first spring Saturday in 7 years that I have not had to leave the house early to travel to a track meet. I will admit it was a bit weird watching Dan leave the house, knowing I didn't have to go.

Nate had another scrimmage today. He is still pencilled in with the #1's, although he did say that this weeks practice wasn't as good as last weeks practice.

Matt is still nursing his back injury. He goes to the doctor on Monday - I'm going with him. Either he is going to hear news that he's showing improvement, or he is going to be referred to a neurologist. I hope he shows improvement. I'll keep you all posted on this.

I had a crazy week at school. I found out I am getting a student teacher next year, so we have been trying to coordinate schedules to meet. I am helping a former student, who is now in college, with a paper on "How texting and IM-ing is affecting the English language", and I am the school contact person for the Hillsdale College fraternity - Delta Tau Delta. They are doing their service project at our school with our students. So the way I see it,students at Siena Heights, Adrian College and Hillsdale College are benefiting from my wealth of knowledge. God help them!!

View from the window

When I got up this morning I had wonderful views. Looking out the back windows I saw some ducks sitting at the edge of the pool. When I looked out the front there were deer across the street. This is why we like living in the country!!

Bulging Disk

Because Adrian College's football team is going to Italy to play in a game they are allowed to have some padded practices. Generally Div III doesn't do this. Right before Easter Matt called complaining that his butt hurt. He was working out in the weight room and lifted a bit too much weight. That caused him to have sever back and butt pain.

Well, after three weeks, he finally has a diagnosis - a bulging disk. He is on rest for at least another 3 weeks. At that time the Dr. will decide if he can begin practicing. Needless to day, Matt is very disappointed. He is also relieved that he caught it before he suited up and was hit by someone.

He is still looking forward to Italy. I think that for most of the boys, football is secondary. His main focus is to get better to be ready in the fall.