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!