Summer Swim Season

While most areas of the country are just starting their summer swim seasons, ours will be ending with the individual championship meet this weekend. We start in early May to try and beat the intense summer heat which is already upon us. So, in a couple days, we can finally slow down a bit, have some free weekends, and hopefully become a little bored!!!

Last night our team, the Seals, had a fantastic end of the season bash. There are over 260 team members and as these pictures show, our 3 swimming boys were recognized above and beyond most of their team-mates. A night that makes all those early morning practices and endless Saturday meets worth the effort!

Kyle was recognized with a trophy as "High Point Scorer" for his age group and also received plaques for setting 3 new individual team records. After 8 years of competitive swimming, Reid finally mastered all 4 strokes and pushed himself for faster times. He received a trophy for the "Most Improved" in his age group.

Andrew proudly received a trophy for the "Coaches Award" given to the kid who works the hardest in practice and always does what the coaches ask. After we explained what the trophy was given for, he said, "anyone can get the high point trophy, mine's more important because I have to work hard all the time!" We hope it hasn't gone to his head!!

Our well-decorated table!!! Congratulations Boys!!!!

Thank You To Those Who Serve

I was recently sent the video below and hope that you will take the time to watch it. (it is short, but meaningful). Memorial Day is recently behind us and Independence Day will soon be here. It's fun to celebrate a day off from work and picnic with our neighbors, but how often do we consider the brave men & women who leave their loved ones behind to go off to foreign & dangerous lands to fight for freedom. We're all aware of what a hot button issue the war in Iraq will be this upcoming fall as we vote for a new president. No matter how you stand on the war issue, it's important to think about the young servicemen & women fighting far from home. I married into a family that has a long history of United States Military Service. It's amazing to see how the red, white, & blue continues to run through our family's veins. My oldest son is commissioned to serve in the Army in 3 years after he graduates college. Another son wants nothing but to join the Army after high school. As a mother, I often wonder where their strong patriotism comes from. We've never pushed them for a military career and yet it is their only immediate desire. We've probably all been in situations where servicemen/women have been in our midst. I've seen them dressed in uniform in restaurants, grocery stores, & the mall. While the thought of acknowledging their sacrifice and bravery did occur to me, I can't say that I've acted on that impulse. After watching this video, I hope we all will not only notice them but give them the gratitude they deserve. Please watch:

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php

Another Catholic Blog

I just wanted to post an introduction to a new blog written by one of my first friends here in Texas. Against the Flow.... is written by Janet who is a native Texan with a beautiful family. My younger kids pal around with some of hers and Kyle is giving swimming lessons to a couple of them too. As moms, we support each other in our daily trials of raising a large family while trying to be faithful to the teachings of the Catholic church. Janet has a great perspective cause she was raised as a Bible-thumping Southern Baptist. She converted in college and is so knowledgeable about the Catholic faith that we all learn from her. So, don't just sit here--check out her blog!

Summer Bummer

It has been a while since I last posted. Unfortunately our computer crashed completely in May and while we hope to resurrect it soon for the kids to use, we went a few weeks without a home PC. I now have a laptop all my own.

Don't think I had tons of down- time without the constant beckon of the family PC luring me over to check my email or "surf-around". Nope, I spent the better part of the past three weeks nursing my big 'ol college son through illness.

Brian came home from school mid-May with the hopes of finally relaxing without having the upperclassmen in the Corp constantly breathing down his neck or worrying about his next exam. I let him lounge for about a week before starting to strongly urge him to "find a job" and "sign up for a summer class" at the local community college. During week two, he finally got motivated to follow mom's advice. He signed up for two classes in the first summer session and started to apply for jobs. It was a few days later when he told me he didn't feel well. I popped the thermometer in his mouth and watched it register 102.......this was for real.

As the days progressed, he got worse, was put on antibiotics, tested positive for hepatitis, and spiked temperatures to almost 105 during one night. That night I had to sponge his torso and head down reminding me of the tepid baths we used to give him when he was a sick baby. Even 19 years later, the mom/nurse role continues. The sickness continued as his throat became something from a horror movie and then he woke up covered with a rash from head to toe. I would post pictures, but honestly, you would not want to see them!!

After 4 doctor visits we finally got all the test results and found that he has mononucleosis! The rash was caused by the antibiotics and the hepatitis is , thankfully, caused only by the mono and will not cause permanent damage. Three weeks and 15 pounds lighter, Brian is finally starting to feel better and actually gets up out of bed during the day. Obviously, he had to postpone his classes and probably won't get a decent job for the summer as he works to gain energy before returning back to school and the rigors of the Corp in mid-August.

Poor Brian, I'm sure this summer will not turn out to be the relaxing leisure break he had hoped for, but I'm sure it'll be one summer he'll never forget!!!