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"a portrait of each of my children, once each week, in 2017"

Jaden: Your new basketball season started this past weekend, and what a day it was! You guys went out and won your first tournament of the season, and you personally strung together the best three straight games we've ever seen from you! In fact, your coaches went up to Daddy after the second game of the day and said that without a doubt you were the most improved player on your team from last year. That's high praise coming from those athletic coaches of yours!

Brandon: You have been in your element for several days now - with all things holiday happening around here! It was SO adorable to see you help Daddy carve pumpkins on Sunday. You insisted on doing some of the actual carving yourself, and though it took you much longer to saw through that pumpkin than it would have taken Daddy - you were adorably patient and determined through the process. Tonight - we dress up and eat some candy and the forecast may be freezing, but we have some warm fun plans in store with our people to make up for it!

Our Little Guitar Player

Several months ago Brandon developed a desire to learn how to play the guitar. To this day we're not sure where this desire came from, and I really didn't think of much of it at first because well - life got in the way. ;)

But this kiddo didn't let us forget about it, and as school started back up again in August, he started really pressing me to start researching guitar lesson opportunities. The thought overwhelmed me just a bit as our schedules are already packed tight, I don't know the first thing about playing a musical instrument... and we'd have to of course - buy a guitar. ;)

But then one Tuesday evening we walked into our church atrium to drop Jaden off at basketball practice in the church gym, and there just happened to be a gentleman sitting on the couches with a guitar in his hand and some music spread out on the table in front of him. We were in a bit of a hurry, but I walked over to him and asked if he gives lessons. He responded that he does and that he had one available opening - at 5:30 on Tuesday nights right there in the church. Which just happens to be at the same time that we have to be there with Jaden for basketball! He also told us that he had a guitar Brandon's size that we could take home with us and that he volunteers his time in this way for "God's glory." Two minutes after meeting him, we'd exchanged contact information and agreed to meet for the first time two weeks later. That was it! Sometimes... God isn't so subtle. :)

And this has been such a sweet thing for our Brandon and our family. We've had just three lessons so far, and every time we go, our nice instructor is amazed at Brandon's natural ability with the guitar. Not only can he play - but he can read music all on his own and wants no help from us! Steve tells us that he has kids much older than Brandon that have taken a much longer time to adapt to the instrument than Brandon has, and he also has said on multiple occasions that kids like Brandon are why he does what he does. Brandon is so excited about the whole thing that he drew the sweetest guitar picture and thank you card for Steve and gave it to him this week. Steve said he'd proudly hang it up in his office at UNI. :)

We love sitting around in the evenings at home and listening to Brandon strum along... and I just love that he's already practicing some Christmas music! This holiday loving mama can't wait to see my boy sitting on our fireplace hearth alongside the Christmas tree, playing us some Silent Night. And Cody envisions fireside guitar music throughout our summer months. It's what I love about this instrument -- you can take it anywhere. :)

I love our uniquely talented boys and the gifts God has blessed them with!

The "Dream Team" - An Undefeated Season

It was once again a fun fall watching this one out on his own little gridiron. I've had other parents - and even collegiate coaches - watch him play football and comment to me on his lack of emotion and his intense facial expressions when he's out there. The UNI Defensive Coordinator asked me at camp this summer if Jaden was having any fun. I assure them all that he absolutely loves it. The look on his face is pure focus and determination. He lives for this stuff, and is his happiest on game day.

And this season was a pretty memorable one. For one thing, Cody wasn't planning on coaching again. With moving to a new school district and not really knowing anyone yet, he was going to let another dad take the reigns this year. But when the head of the flag football program e-mailed Cody personally and asked for his help, he of course couldn't say no. We did put in a special request though - Cody has always wanted to coach his favorite NFL team - the Buccaneers. The fact that our family already owns all the Bucs clothing we need made for some pretty cute pictures. :) Not only did Cody get to coach his Buccaneers, but he coached them to an undefeated season. That's pretty special, but even more special because this was Jaden's last year with flag football. We made a promise to him - and after spending the last two years talking to a number of football coaches at all levels - we're allowing him to start tackle football next year as a fifth grader. It's a dream of his, and it's exciting to help him pursue it, but I sure am going to miss watching these little pee-wee flag football games. They are entertainment in all sorts of ways. :) And our journey through this season of life went way too fast!

I had a couple of parents compliment me on my loyalty. "You bought a Buccaneers chair just for flag football? Wow!" No, no... for some unknown reason, my husband is a die hard Tampa Bay fan. We love our flag football, but even we aren't that hardcore. ;)

It didn't take us long to immediately develop new friendships at our new school. Another dad stepped up to help Cody as an assistant coach, and his son just happened to be in Jaden's class, too. The boys all hit it off right away, and Cody has never had a group of kids quite as respectful as this team.

And this one. Jaden had another outstanding season on an individual level. He once again had his hands in at least one touchdown in every single game - whether it was running the ball into the end zone himself, throwing the touchdown pass - or grabbing a touchdown reception, this kid's performance was fun to watch week in and week out. Whereas in season's past, he's been the ball carrier, Cody told him a couple of weeks into practice this year that he would need him to be the main quarterback. I was nervous about that because he's always thrown a beautiful ball, but hasn't always handled the pressure of passing in games quite as strongly in previous years. But what a difference a year makes. His poise and calmness "in the pocket" has grown leaps and bounds, and he threw amazing passes all season long - even when being rushed by the defenders.

He grew to love playing quarterback, and Mommy isn't quite sure how to feel about that. ;)

And once again, our guys were never without their own little fan zone along the sidelines. Even Ivy came to a game, although she was pouting a little bit here after being told she couldn't walk across mid-field to say hi to Jaden and Uncle Cody. :)

Brandon also became part of the group, tagging along on the sidelines and hanging with the big boys whenever he could.

I've never seen Cody smile and laugh so much as a coach during a game. It was a fun year for everyone, and I'm proud of this entire group.

There is no break in action. Basketball season tips off in three days. I love the ride we're on!