December 2018

December was full of music, a birthday and preparations for Christmas!

Child labor is great when you have lots of Christmas cards to get in the mail. :)

Rachel turned 7! Teresa decorated a unicorn cake for her and she received a bike, which she was able to ride for a little while before our first winter snow. 

We held our annual RE Christmas Program and . . . 

celebrated Christmas Eve in Eureka.

It was a wonderful 2018!

Be still my heart . . .

One thing is certain--Rachel has been paying attention in reading and writing classes this year.
While we were reading a bedtime story earlier this year, she told me, "'Too with two o's means also."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing! (I've become convinced that most of the adult population of this country doesn't know that.)

Last night, we were reading a story together. I read this page.

There was something that caught her attention in how I was reading it, maybe a pause after "to."

She looked back at the page and said, "Oh, yeah, because there's elipses."

I seriously could not believe my ears.

Trying to hide my bubbling excitement, I asked her if she learned that at school.

She nonchalantly said, "Yes."

Teresa then walked over to see what we were talking about. She said, "I didn't even know that was called that!"

Hmm. . . I may have someone to take over the freelance proof reading gig one day. :)

And a bonus note I want to remember . . . Yesterday morning I found a sock in her chapter book. She was using it as a bookmark. :)

40 . . . and One Week

I turned 40 on November 12. It seems pretty crazy since I still feel like I am in my late 20's, but, yet, here I am! I do want to declare publicly (since not even my husband realized my current hair color is my real color), that I made it here without a gray hair. Find one and I will claim it, but I seriously haven't found one myself. I would like to thank my Grandma Joachim for those excellent genes. 

Big time fist bump for that 40th birthday gift. 

What I really felt in the days leading up to and on my 40th birthday was an abundance of gratitude. Mostly, it was gratitude for the beautiful people who were a part of my life from the start and all those who God has provided at all the right times in my life, my husband and children, and both the family and friends who have walked with me in the good days and the bad. 

I am also thankful for the experiences I have had in my 40 years. I've had some pretty great days among the 14,600-ish days I have been here. And the older I get, the more I realize how great even some of those "ordinary" days were spent with those I love.

I recently saw a sign that said, "I remember when I prayed for what I have now." Truly, so many of my prayers as a child have been answered--probably the biggest being that I am still here at 40 to experience the blessings.

Here's to the next 40 years! Thank you for joining me on the journey.

Grandpa Kallas

My Grandpa Kallas passed away October 25--just in time to meet the love of his life in heaven for her birthday and wedding anniversary on October 27. They never had to spend one apart. 

We knew in April that our time was limited, but until then, it was as if time didn't touch Grandpa. Sure, he used a walker for the past several years, but he would sit and converse as he always had, still knowing what was happening on the farm he had once lived and worked on and always interested in what was happening on ours. Above all, his Catholic faith was of the utmost importance to him and he was unapologetic about that fact. May we all live our faith as he did. The second to last time I visited him I had the privilege of receiving communion with him. The last time, we prayed a rosary together. To have those moments as our last together on this earth are priceless in my heart. 

Grandpa was so many things. He was little candy bars he would offer as his guests left--Hershey's miniatures on the farm and Kit Kats in the nursing home. Grandpa was giving his great-grandchildren their first taste of ice cream (preferably Moose Tracks) at much too young an age. :) Grandpa was a booming, "Huh!" and a laugh when you told him something he thought was funny or surprising. Grandpa was milking cows. Grandpa was Saturday night mass in Leola (after which he would visit with his friends at the bar and I would join Grandma and their wives at the D&M Cafe.) Grandpa was his workshop in Leola. How perfect they were able to buy a garage next to their own for his projects. He was his restored Ford tractor. Grandpa laughed out loud at the morning comics--who does that? (Several years later, I would have a son who does the same.) Grandpa was back in his den making rosaries and, at meal times, at the end of the table with a glass of milk. Grandpa was the proud veteran, active in the Legion, where I remember him calling out numbers at the annual Turkey Shoot and where our family celebrated so many joyous wedding dances, and a 50th anniversary dance, together. Grandpa was not perfect. He never claimed to be, but he was one of a kind and an example I am honored to follow. 

I took this picture as we entered the cemetery yesterday. It wasn't until I looked at it on our way home that I realized the story this photo tells. Here is Grandpa's life--his love of faith, his country, his family, and the shadows of family still to grow and raise their families.

My cousin Brandon summed Grandpa's life up best as he quoted Matthew 25:21 last week.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!" 

Cross Country

Nathan had a great cross country season this past fall. He worked his way up to running on the varsity team for Regions . . . which was a snowy, chilly day in Webster! The boys and girls teams both qualified at the Region meet to run at the State Cross Country Meet in Sioux Falls on October 20. 

Northwestern has a fun tradition for teams leaving for state competitions. This was my first time actually being at a send off. Cousins Carter and Lily and Aunt Angela were able to be here, too.

Carter's quote of the day--"Nater is going to Stater!" 

The band comes out on the playground to play the school song and everyone lines up to give high fives as the team leaves the school.

Teresa and I were in charge of posters for the team. :)

Northwestern's boys team tied for 6th place, but points pushed them down to 7th. Nathan finished 108th with a time of 20:30.11.

*Thank you to Heidi B. for most of these photos!

Parents Night 2018

Landen really enjoyed his first season playing high school football.

He played quite a bit in his last game--even getting a sack on his first play in.

That night was double parents night for football and cross country.

I made our family gather for a photo. :)

Invisible Jobs

On Sunday, I subbed for our regular parish organist, which I do from time to time. 

As I got to page 3 of the Gloria, I realized I was looking at page 3 of the Holy, Holy.  Oops!  The rest of the parish and choir continued on for a few lines until I found the right page and finished the song.

After mass, I mentioned it to David. He answered that he didn't want to say he hadn't noticed.  The piano is something you aren't supposed to notice. That's a good thing, right? And, he continued, come to think of it--that's what I do every day--jobs that people aren't supposed to notice.  He was absolutely right. It's not a bad thing . . . it's just what it is. 

Everyone expects the piano to play the background music--and they only really notice it if it stops or if it plays at the wrong time. 

Everyone wants a clean house and clean laundry, but they only notice if the floor is sticky or they are missing socks. (This has happened a few times these past few weeks as my focus was on painting instead of laundry!) 

Everyone wants a warm meal on the table at the appropriate time. If that doesn't happen, something is terribly wrong. . . or mom is in Aberdeen running errands. :)

Everyone wants my children to behave in public. But it reflects on me when they don't.

Everyone wants an error-free newspaper, and they don't notice the 50+ things the other proof reader and I catch each week. They notice the one we missed.

I'm not complaining because I really love all that I do. (Have I mentioned I am currently living my dream job--a stay-at-home mom with kids in school?  Life isn't any less busy, but it is pretty sweet right now.) :)  

There are so many jobs people do behind the scenes that keep our world running smoothly. I know I overlook these people and the jobs they do all of the time. Let's work at being more attentive and thank them for the talents they provide. :)

September-October

This is how we do September and October . . . marching band, cross country, volleyball skills, homecoming, junior high football, high school football, and lots of fun along the way!

Pray for us.

As the news of the abuse scandals cover our news and social media and numbers grow worse day after day, it can be easy for us all to despair. 

If you ask me how I feel about these revelations that are finally coming to light, I ask you in return, "What are you truly asking me?" 

Are you asking me how I feel about unspeakable, horrendous abuse and corruption? 

Or are you asking me how I feel about the Catholic Church?  

I hope you would know my answer to the first question. 

And, I hope you would know my answer to the second as well. If you do not, here is my answer:

It is truly unsettling that such evil existed, and was tolerated, for so long in a place that should be safe in this world. 

In turn, it is equally unsettling that the revelation of this evil now potentially has the power to drive a deeper wedge into Christ's Christian Church on earth, and so Satan's work has the opportunity to continue in a different way.

I don't know if you realize this, but if you are Christian, we are on the same team.

If a member of your team discovers a cancer has been overtaking his or her own body, through no fault of their own, how do you respond?

With condemnation?

Or do you show compassion and pray for them to aid in their healing?

As Catholics and Christians, we should be grateful that this evil has been brought to light. It can only be eradicated in the light. The Catholic Church on earth will become smaller, but it will become brighter. And I will still be here, either in the Church Militant, the Church Penitent, or the Church Triumphant, when it does. 

Please keep our priests in your prayers. The thousands of good men who have sacrificed and devoted their lives to honestly and wholeheartedly shepherd Christ's Church are now weighted down by the burden of horrible sins committed by others. These holy men don't deserve your condemnation, suspicion or criticism. They urgently need your prayers.

Likewise, please keep your Catholic brothers and sisters in your prayers. We are hurting so much. But for those of us who are Catholic for the reasons above, we love the Catholic Church. Although many may choose to leave, those of us whose faith is in Jesus and the Sacraments, we are not looking for a place to escape. We know we are Catholic at this time and placed in this generation so that we can help the Church we love with all our hearts to shine brighter after this time of painful purification.

And it will.

 I ask you to help in our healing.

For my Catholic friends, I urge you not to despair. 

To quote a great priest who now enjoys eternal life, "The choice is yours. Choose well."

-Fr. Todd Reitmeyer

"Clean Heart" by Matt Maher

Woke up this morning
The whole world was yelling
I wish I was dreaming
Of all that we've been through
My soul has been searching
For some deeper meaning
I know there's a kindness
That leads me to the truth

When everybody's looking for another fight
When trouble's on the rise, no end in sight
Oh Savior, won't You come and make the wrong things right
Let me be the place You start
Give me a clean heart

What is forgiveness if it isn’t given
We measure our mercy
When mercy is a flood
Give us a vision
Your eyes of compassion
In all this division
May we be known by our love

Back to School

We have a Freshman this year! It's taken me all summer to come to grips with that fact, and I'm not totally sure I've accepted it yet. :)

Nathan is in 7th grade. He leaves early every morning for cross country practice this time of year. 

Teresa is in 5th grade and excited to have Mr. Rozell as her teacher this year.

Rachel is in 1st grade and her teacher is Mrs. Hughes. She learned to ride a two-wheel bike just a few days before school started and a couple of her kittens will even willingly ride in her basket!

The girls made a Back-to-School cake to celebrate the occasion.

And then they were off!

Summer

So long, summer!

It was a good one . . . one of the best, I would say, even though I spent it mostly in the car! 

The NW Midgets came in 2nd in the End of Season Tournament in a thriller of a Championship game. It was a good summer for these boys, as they were undefeated in their regular season.

Then came wheat harvest!

One night in August, I was treated to a concert by my youngest three. They spent the day making their CD covers and everything that goes with a concert.

Landen played in his first varsity football game the Friday before school started. 

The next day, we traveled to Minnesota to spend time with cousins and go to their church's planned Michael W. Smith Concert. Rain threatened the event all day and came within a mile or two, but God answered many prayers and it held off until after the concert. 

Jacob Daniel (above) was another singer we were looking forward to see that day. He is a friend of our friends in Sioux Falls and a youth pastor at his church. He has recorded a couple of CD's, and you can find his music on Amazon, too. :)

 Right before the concert, my sister-in-law Angela sent me these photos from backstage. 

Teresa was very excited to get to meet Michael W. Smith and get his autograph.

And with that, we left reminded that we have God to help us fight our battles as we prepared to enter another school year!