Quiet time

Enter our room and find Pierce and Mitch sitting on our bed. Pierce has a book in his hands and is looking at the pictures in it. Mitch is quietly beside him. This is after four baseball games yesterday. Two games today plus one called for weather.

Me, "Pierce, are you having nice quiet time with dad?"
Pierce, with a smile, "Daddy is having quiet time."
Pierce, with conviction and a devious smile, "I AM NOT."

All true, my son. All true.

Beware

Last day of winter break (unless school is cancelled with this COLD weather) and I will be staying out of our lower level. Between the Lego building and the serious Nerf war going on between the four boys, it is not safe for my feet, my face or my glass of Chai. Happy cold vacation day.

Remembering Ray

At dinner tonight, Mitch and Max recounted the story of Ray in 2010 as the neighbor kids walked home from school on the last day -  

"How many days until the first day of school?"

Then again in the fall as they headed to school, "How many days until summer vacation?" 

This, of course, led to showcasing the "Iowa wave" to Ian. The Iowa Wave consists of sticking one's thumb at the end of your nose and wiggling your fingers or sticking your thumb in a bottle (likely a beer bottle) and waving your fingers. I can still remember the night he first said that when we were at Clifford's Fish Fry.

Lots of smiles, memories and laughter at dinner. 

He was entertaining. 

The newest lawn boy

Today we ventured into new territory and one that reminds me how quickly he's growing. Max asked to learn to mow, loved it and stuck with it the entire yard. He's his grandfathers and his parents child for sure. So proud of him. I do have to wonder "how long will it last?"

THE PARENT RAP - Funny parenting song from Bluefish TV

This is so good. Yes, I am the bomb and stay up to the crack of dawn. Thank you Bluefish TV for creating this and Mitch Beckman for sharing it with me. Think I'll watch this monthly for a smile and make it an annual family viewing event so the boys understand this whole parenting thing a bit.

Another season underway

Flag football is underway....

Boys are excited. Weather is nice. We've got one fun afternoon done!

Max is playing on the Jaguars (ash) in year three. Mitch is assisant coach to our neighbor/friend Doug Schillinger. 

Graham is playing on the Vikings (purple) for his first year! Mitch is assistant coach to our neighbor/friend Jace Bisgard.

Graham had the play of the day for our house - a touchdown. Imagine the thrill of this to our sports loving, competetive, first flag football game player. Then take that times ten to understand his thrill!

Here's to another sports season!

Quiet

The boys are still at Danelle and Kent's and return home tomorrow. Wow, is it quiet. I won't lie, I've enjoyed the peacefulness, non-interrupted sleep nights, running a bit later in the morning, a bit of catch-up at work, drinks and dinner with Simcoxes Monday night and Fishmans tonight. (Note, I did not say catch-up at home - thanks to other fun things like friends and Olympics watching!!). It's a blessing to have the time with Mitch and I have no doubt all of them are having a fantastic time. Tomorrow though, I'll enjoy the hugs and smiles of my boys.

Phil's Day

Loves when a lot of planning and hard work come together in a fantastic celebration. Today was Phil's Day on the UI Campus. Phil's Day is a day to celebrate (and thank) our generous alumni and friends whose donations make the UI experience remarkable. I am grateful for all the people who helped me make this day a reality - especially for Kaitlyn Kemna (the student who works with me), Lynette Marshall (the UI Foundation President and CEO who supported the vision and all the work), Gary Seamans (our special guest, UIF board member, generous donor, charismatic speaker and a personal inspiration) and Mitch (yes, my husband who supported me each day and all day today). The success came from a village.

Photos and more reflection to follow when I'm not exhausted!!!

The Masters: A tradition unlike any other (CBS)

Today, Mitch experienced a dream. I'm a bit jealous that I wasn't there to experience it with him or to have my own dream met but I'm thrilled he did.

The dream - The Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Mitch attended a practice round at The Masters with his friends Dan (Lou) Lawrence, Andy Thompson and Chad Reimers. It was his first time and whether his first and last or he gets another opportunity neither he nor I will forget this one. He followed Tiger Woods for three holes, Phil Mickelson for three holes, stood ten feet from Phil while he putted, ate one of the famous pimento and cheese sandwiches and used his complementary call on the 11th hole to call me. (Yes, complimentary and I might add his entire lunch was less than $5.00, a practice round ticket $50 - unheard of in a world where sports venues and events have become unaffordable for so many.) When I picked up the phone, he was giddy like a child - times ten. I thought I saw that in him on Saturday when they left but hearing it today made Saturday seem like nothing. And then his statement on the phone tonight "on a scale of 1 to 10 it was a 15" confirmed "The Masters: a tradition unlike any other" on a personal and new level. I am grateful he got this chance and his dream is now reality.

When he gets home on Thursday I know there will be pictures and stories and I'm excited to hear those but really, I'll never forget today's short conversations and the sound in his voice. I am positive Mitch won't either.

Article Memories of the Masters: Like Nothing Else

Five bears in the bed

So they really are humans and there are four instead of five but that really doesn't matter. What does matter is how cute they are and how lucky I am. All four of my boys are snugged into our bed, nearly asleep. Mitch was reading books on the couch to Pierce, Graham was drawing at the table, Max was folding laundry (all of it at his request) and I was reading for Bible study. Mitch said it was about time for bed and I quietly said to Mitch something about all going to bed early and snuggling in our bed. Mitch said yes and Max overhearing said "really?" the only downside is that I don't get to join them. I'm off to venture out in the rain, in February, for Bible Study. Thankfully I like it and I love this time for the boys. Mitch leaves for Arizona on Wednesday so this is some good boy time. Not quite sports and rough and tough as usual but different can be good and maybe the cuddle was what they all need. Looking at them, I doubt anyone says "Roll over, I'm crowded."

I bet I'll want to just crawl in with them when it's my time for bed.

Happy birthday, Mitch

My Facebook post this tonight sums up our weekend but I think it warrants a few details

"Think I'd like to do this three day weekend over (except the leaky roof) because it was just that good. Started with family time, spent time with friends, watched football and basketball, wrote - yes handwritten - letters, and ended by celebrating Mitch Beckman's birthday (who I am VERY thankful for and celebrate all he brings to my life)."

Dinner on Saturday night to celebrate Mitch's birthday was fantastic - Chef's Table with Andy and Amy followed by a couple glasses of wine and great conversation at their house. All while our seven boys were together with two wonderful sitters, Shanna and Ellie, and then slept peacefully spread across floors and bedrooms.


The leaky roof - well, we have water dripping down into our screened in porch in multiple places and a few steady drips along the sliding glass door in our kitchen. Fun. Our builders found snow in the attic - mostly in an unreachable location - and believes the wind was just right to blow the one snow we've had this season of any measure, in through the roof flap vents. Let's hope it drys quickly and the wind doesn't blow this way again.


The most important weekend event - Mitch's 43rd birthday. I think it was mostly great because the boys were very excited and into celebrating. Max and Graham were concerned about him not having a sign and when they asked me, I reminded them that I'm not the sign person. That's Mitch and whoever helps him. They took it upon themselves to make sure he had a sign, actually signs. Max made "Happy Birthday, Dad" one letter on each sheet of paper and taped them all together. Graham hung a sign that said "You Love Wisconsin So Much Love, Graham." Their signs, hugs, help with breakfast, taking photos and video, singing and helping him eat his requested chocolate chip cookies and the Oreo cake made the day shine. For Mitch and me. Happy birthday, hon. Love you.

Reason I love football #I don't know

It provides unbelievable peace in our house while I'm getting ready for date night! Yeah for peaceful boys and date night.

Plus said date night is with Andy and Amy and to celebrate Mitch's birthday!

Go to bed with a smile

Seriously, this warmed my heart beyond belief. It made my day and wasn't even to me.

Hawkeye basketball

Enjoyed a Hawkeye basketball game with my boys tonight! A great family outing and always a plus to see all of them in Hawkeye colors. Too bad Mitch dashed my idea of this being our holiday card!

First Hawkeye Basketball game of the season for the family!

Driveway Tailgate

I didn't get a chance to capture it with an appropriate photo (which is what this really needs) because everyone was on the but the memory will live at least for me.

Mitch, Max, Graham and Pierce in a combination of Lions and Brewers apparel set-up a tailgate in the driveway tonight. Lions played the Bears in Monday night football (Lions win 24-13) and the Brewers played the Cardinals (Brewers lost 12-3) in playoff game two. The excitement leading up to the games has been high and the boys will be tired tomorrow because they stayed up too late. The memories, though, as they say, are priceless.

The month has been filled with over sported, over tired, over excited, craziness with the Lions, Brewers and Badgers playing big night games, winning games unexpectedly and playing many games. This is not a month my boys or I will forget.

Ray sure is having fun watching from above - likely in amazement.

Sports Happy Husband

Pierce's birthday was the highlight of Mitch's weekend, I have no doubt. He would not have sold his tickets to the Big Ten opener for the University of Wisconsin (#7) versus the University of Nebraska (#8) - it's first game in the Big Ten - at Camp Randall yesterday if he did not put Pierce's birthday first. That said, Mitch's happiness this weekend is credited in half to the amazing sports weekend he had. A quick recap -

The Milwaukee Brewers won the first two games of the playoff series against the Arizona Diamondbacks - one yesterday and one today.  In September, Milwaukee won the NL division title - it's first division title since 1982 when the Brewers won the AL East and appeared in the World Series. Both games were watched as closely as possible by all four boys - and even the mom - in this house.

Last night, the Badgers flew by the Cornhuskers, 48-17. "What is a Cornhusker?" one of the boys inquired. I can't count the number of times the boys told me something of value or shouted "Tooooonnnn" when UW wide-receiver Nick Toon had a great play. They really are following the Badgers with Mitch!

And finally, the Detroit Lions beat the Dallas Cowboys (34-30) making them 4-0 on the season. Seriously? They were 0-16 a couple of seasons ago. And now for the first time in 31 years, they start 4-0. Yikes. On top of the win, they came back from a 24 point deficit to beat the Cowboys. They remain one of two unbeaten teams in the NFL. The others, happens to be from Wisconsin but Mitch's least favorite team - the Green Bay Packers.

If you are Mitch or a lover of all things Wisconsin, you are a happy sports fan tonight. I'm pretty sure Ray is watching all of this in amazement, wishing he were here to chat it up with Mitch and thankful his grandsons are going to take after him and their father.

Perfect

A 7:30 am departure, 80 degree weather (sun, no rain, low humidity light breeze), the Giant Slide, Spin Art, Ye Ol' Mill, the Sky Glider (Pierce's first), Blue Sky ice cream, tattoos up and down the arms, a farm experience, mini chocolate chip cookies, stunt dog wows, the Butter Cow's 100th Anniversary, boiled eggs on a stick, salt water taffy, the largest bull, tator ribbon fries, golf cart rides, exhausted kids, tired legs, filthy feet, relaxing lunch and dinner under a tree, a football tossed, and a 10:30 pm arrival at home. A perfect day at the Iowa State Fair with my parents, Mitch and the boys. The theme is right, "Nothing Compares."

My own photos to follow....

Notting Hill

1999 Movie - first one I saw with Mitch

I promised myself that I'd stay up later unpacking and organizing if I watched something on TV. Well, since we don't have TV - cable or stations that is since we do still have our physical televisions - that leaves movies. Perfect choice - Notting Hill from 1999 - the first movie Mitch and I saw together. We were in San Francisco in November 1999. I fell in love with the movie and him. I loved the movie just as much tonight although it made me miss Mitch (he's in Florida with Michelle for her next round of chemo). Only downside, even after a dozen times, I get wrapped up in the movie and didn't accomplish anything while watching it. Oh for a good movie and love.

And the winner is....

Max and me! Yes, Max and I won the family NCAA Basketball Tournament Pool. I'm thrilled with the $45 and Max is ECSTATIC with his $10 (not bad on a $2.50 investment for him) but it's an embarrassing year to win. Now that Max has won, he wants to "do something like this again." We've created a gambler, I'm afraid!

Here's Mitch's email to the crew earlier today -

It’s kind of depressing that I’m sending this update because even though the NCAA Tourney plays the Final Four games this weekend, our pool is officially over. Not one of us had even one single final four team picked. Other results point to this year’s tourney being very difficult to predict:


1. For the first time in NCAA men’s history no #1 or #2 seeds advanced to the Final 4.
2. In ESPN’s pool that drew more than 2 million entries, only 2 people correctly predicted the Final 4.

So without dragging this out more, here are the official results of our pool:

Barb – 43
Graham – 47
Bruce – 48
Seth & Elyse – 49
Mitch – 50
Mary – 52
Brad – 52
Janel – 55
David – 59
Max – 61 wins $10
Kristin – 63 (winner, winner, chicken dinner!) wins $45


Thanks for playing!

Successful surgery

We are thankful tonight to report that Michelle's surgery went well today. Bless her dear friends who spent the day with her from early this morning, thru the day, into the evening and will remain by her side 24/7 until she comes home from the hospital. Although Mitch was obviously willing to go from the day she shared the news, she is saving his visit(s) until her friends are not able or when she wants a brother's hand.

Prayers to continue to God and I feel blessed by the strength he is giving to Michelle, Mitch and their entire family.

From Michelle's CaringBridge Page at 3:20 EST today http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mbeckman/journal

Surgery began at 11:20am today. The surgeon walked out at 1:40pm reporting the surgery "was a good, clean cancer surgery" meaning they were able to remove an adequate clean area around the tumor. They removed about 12 inches of the colon area, and she lost very little blood in the process.



Michelle is currently in recovery and will go to a hospital room later this evening. She has asked for no visitors while she is in the hospital, but would greatly appreciate your continued prayers for her recovery.


A pathology report, due within the next few days, should indicate more of the stage of the cancer as well as what the next steps will be.

At this time, we don't yet know how many days she will be in the hospital; you're welcomed to continue visiting Michelle's page for all updates.